Chapter Seventy-seven

Izabella frowned, watching as Bram drove them back and listening to Scarlet talk about what happened back in the city. Tyler had been ambushed, and Gavin had been killed. Her heart went out to Tyler. This would be a very difficult road for him to travel without Gavin. She’d only met the guy once, and that wasn’t at the best of times, but she’d spoken to Tyler about him. She knew they were happier than they’d ever been, and that Tyler was finally facing life without Bram by his side. To think Tyler had to lose him just after finally finding him was heartbreaking.

She noticed Bram took his phone out while they were at a stop light and was texting something to someone. Probably confirming the information that Scarlet was telling them now. “How is it, Scarlet, you came by this information before I did? I can’t even get a confirmation of anything you just told me, other than the fact that at this time, neither Tyler nor Gavin have responded back.” The car skid to a halt in front of the castle. He threw the door open, and his eyes looked like they were on fire as he pulled her from the car. “Tell me, how could you have possibly heard before me?” His hand was around her throat, and Izabella squeaked as the terrible shadow settled behind him.

“You know I watch you carefully. I always have. Even if you don’t acknowledge the fact.” She tried pushing at his hand, but he didn’t let go.

“Release you mother now.” Vlad said in that deep, hollow voice of his.

“Tyler was always the one you were closest with. Why wouldn’t I have eyes on him just like I have them on you?” Scarlet scoffed, her fingers straining to pull his hand from her neck. “Honestly, whoever tried to attack your girlfriend yesterday probably followed him after we dropped him off at your apartment. Why should they be afraid? You weren’t there to take action.”

Bram released her, pushing her up against the car. “We’re heading home. Iz, children, come.”

“You can’t just leave with them!” Scarlet pleaded, scampering behind him. “I’ve waited so long for you to come back. For you to have a family. BRAM!” She screamed as Izabella jogged after him, trying to keep up as he rushed through the halls back to the room where they originally came from. “At least let them stay here where they’ll be safe.” She was racing after them, but Bram didn’t pay her any attention. Izabella knew that he wouldn’t. His only care in the world right now was confirming that Tyler was alright. And he wouldn’t leave her here with Scarlet otherwise. He didn’t trust his mother. He didn’t trust anyone and with good reason.

That shadow crossed their path, blocking Bram from entering the room with the portal. “Stop being a spoiled brat and turn around and speak with your mother.” Vlad crossed his arms, blocking the path.

Bram took the same stance, glaring at him. “That’s golden, coming from father of the century. I follow you, try to kill you, try to kill all your lovers, now listen to your mother? Fuck you I didn’t want to come here in the first place. Now, as soon as I do, you tell me that Tyler has been taken captive and one of my employees has been murdered. Before anyone else knows, you do. As well as showing up while we’re on a family outing while I suddenly have fucking assassins up my ass. I’m done with this shit.” He tried to push past his father, but found himself pinned to the wall.

“I wasn’t kidding. Listen to your mother.” Blue flames suddenly lit up around Bram’s entire body. Vlad dropped him, cursing, “You little prick.” He growled, his eyes turning red. “I don’t know why she even tries with you.”

“Because, the one thing you did right was create a being none of you jackasses can kill. Congrats.” His arm still ablaze, he grabbed Vlad by the collar, pushing his father away from him and the door, though he was careful not to throw him into Izabella or the children while half on fire. As he was cussing and swearing, his long hair scattered over the hardwood floors. And Scarlet was screaming.

“You could actually kill him!”

“And you…” Bram’s eyes were ablaze with anger and hatred, “if I don’t fucking get Tyler back, and if Gavin truly is dead, you’ll have nothing left. I’ll burn down this entire fucking castle, and you and that prick with it. You’ve made a huge mistake by hurting them. I swear.” Throwing the door open, he waved the children and Izabella through the door.

The door slammed behind them, and Bram drew his dagger, slicing the palm of his hand as he strode quickly into the room. Ripping the carpet up from where it lay over the portal ruins, Bram was quickly adding to it with his blood. The door slammed open and Vlad and Scarlet came in. She was all but balling as she tried to pull him away from the portal. “Please, just talk to me! I want to help you. I was trying to warn you so that nothing does happen to Tyler. I know you care about him, and as long as you’re not together and have moved onto someone you can have a family with, then it’s all better now. That’s all I wanted for you.”

“No, that’s what you wanted for you.” Bram pushed her away, pulling the children onto the portal with him.

“Bram, maybe we should hear her out?” Izabella stared at his crying mother.

“I adore you, Iz, and I would never want to have to force you to do something you don’t want to, but I will bring you with me by force if I must.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket, flipped to a certain place, then held the phone up to her. “Hopefully this is enough to change your mind.”

It was from Gavin. There were four texts. “Help” “Dyin” “kids” “trap.”

Izabella nodded. “Do you think we can still help him?” It had been over an hour since the text were sent, and those had taken him quite a bit of time to write from the first to the last. As she stepped into the circle with him, his mother grabbed her arm.

“Please. I have not been the best mother, but—”

Izabella pulled her arm away, and watched as Vlad closed in, getting closer. “Then just be a decent person. Start giving your son a reason to want to be around you. He has your number. We’ll call you later. I think you can understand why you have to prove yourself this time.” Izabella’s chin lifted as Vlad growled. “If your wife is being honest, and you have nothing to do with this, then let us go.”

“It’s not safe out there.” Scarlet started to take a step into the portal.

Bram put up his hand, “It’s not safe anywhere. We’re leaving. If you want any kind of a relationship, I suggest you listen to Izabella and start showing what you really want.”

“At least let me come and try to help. What if you’re attacked again?” Scarlet’s fists wrung her skirts.

Bram frowned. “We’re going. If you really have eyes all over me, you’ll figure out how to find us.” With that, Izabella and the kids all fell to their knees as the portal opened, this time is bright blue flames kicked up. It felt warmer this time as they were sucked through space. They were back home again, and there were a number of people inside washing blood from, well, everywhere. “Are you all okay?” He asked, as the cleaners all panicked. “It’s fine. They know. Just finish it up.” He waved at them. The kids and Izabella all climbed to their feet, Bram leaned over, helping her up. “Sorry, we need to move though. Come on.” He grabbed a keyring from the entry way as they made their way down to the main floor. He went out a side door though, and there was another elevator that went to the main garage.

As they made it to Gavin’s apartment, the door was still locked. Kicking it in, Bram saw Gavin laying in a puddle of blood in the living room.

***

*Happy reading! If you're enjoying the story so far, please leave a comment. Don't forget to look up The Trials of Rhelia, a fantasy story which you can also find here.*